How to Install Google Chrome on Windows 11

This article explains how to install Google Chrome on Windows 11, including how to make Chrome your default web browser.

How Do I Download Google Chrome on Windows 11?

Windows 11 comes with the Edge browser pre-installed. Edge is built on the same technology as Chrome, so the two browsers look and feel similar. If you want to use Chrome instead, you can use Edge to download Chrome to your computer.

Here’s how to download Google Chrome on Windows 11:

1. Click the Edge icon on your taskbar.

   Edge is on the taskbar by default. If you don’t see it, click the search icon (magnifying glass), type Edge, and click Microsoft Edge in the results.

2. In Edge, go to https://www.google.com/chrome/.

3. Click Download Chrome.

4. Click Save as.

5. Click Save.

   If you prefer, you can click an alternate download folder in this window before you click Save.

6. Wait for the download to finish, then click Open file if you want to start the installation process.

How Do I Install Google Chrome on Windows 11?

Once you have downloaded Google Chrome, you can start the installation process immediately after downloading by clicking the Open file button in Edge or use File Explorer to navigate to the location where you downloaded Chrome.

Here’s how to install Google Chrome on Windows 11:

1. If you just downloaded Chrome through Windows 11, click Open file to start the installation process.

   If the downloads pop-up is gone, click the three dots menu icon in the upper right corner of Edge, then click Downloads.

2. If you don’t have Edge open anymore, open File Explorer, navigate to the location where you downloaded Chrome, and double click the ChromeSetup icon.

3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes. The Chrome installer will automatically download and install the necessary files.

4. When it’s done, Chrome will launch. You can start using it right away by typing a website address into the URL bar.

   To configure the browser with your personal preferences, clicking Get Started if you've never used Chrome, or Sign In if you've used Chrome before, and then following the prompts.

How Do I Make Google Chrome My Default Browser on Windows 11?

Windows 11 lets you set a custom default browser, but the process is more difficult than it was in previous versions of Windows. You can’t just change a single setting, and you have to individually set Chrome to be the default application for every file type that a web browser is capable of opening.

Here’s how to make Google Chrome your default browser:

1. Open Chrome, and click Set as default.

   This is a shortcut to reach the necessary menu more quickly. If this works, skip to step 6. If you don’t see the set as default button when you open Chrome, then go to step 2 and access the menu manually.

2. Right click the Windows icon on the taskbar.

3. Click Settings.

4. Click Apps.

5. Click Default apps.

6. Type Chrome into the set defaults for applications search field, and click Google Chrome in the results.

7. Click the box under .htm.

8. Select Google Chrome, and click OK.

   Before this might be a pop-up asking you to switch to Edge. Just select Switch anyway.

9. Click the box under .html.

10. Select Google Chrome, and click OK.

11. Chrome is now the default browser for .htm and .html files.

    If you want Chrome to be the default browser for everything, repeat steps 7-8 for every file type in this window.